Introduction: How to Build a Cardboard Rocket Ship
My son asked Santa for a "real rocket ship" this Christmas to take the family to the moon. Santa has trouble getting rocket fuel this time of year so this is how I built a cardboard rocket.
Step 1: Materials and Tools
To make this you will need;
- A large refrigerator box.
- Misc. tools(box cutter, tape measure, straight edge, pencil, jigsaw)
- Three cans of gray spray paint
- A little imagination
Step 2: The Build
Begin by cutting and laying flat the box. My dimensions were based on the size of my box so you may have to make adjustments.
Using a straight edge, mark and cut out the top angles and tabs. Each panel is 2 feet wide because my box was 12 feet total.
The tabs are 5 inches long and 2 inches wide. The receiving side is 2 inches wide. I made the receiving slot cuts by just eyeing up the tab locations when I stood it up. Widen the slots a little bit to make it easier to insert the tabs.
Run a blunt tool down the cardboard to help make the folds where you want them to be.
Using any circular object you like, trace and cut out any windows you would like.
The fins are about 2 feet high with one tab the same as above. (Sorry no picture)
Step 3: Finishing Touches
Spray paint the outside any color you want. I primed the areas with writing but it isn't really necessary(it's just a cardboard toy remember) Be careful not to apply too much paint or the cardboard might warp. Using a sharpie I made a few rivets and other lines on the ship. Use your imagination and even get your kids help to make your (I mean their) rocket ship cool.
For extra points I went online and found a website with a drawing of a real lunar module's cockpit. I "borrowed" a few images and printed them out.
I hope this instructable will give you ideas to do something with all those cardboard boxes after Christmas. Before recycling them of course!
**Update
-After folding up and moving the rocket a few times I have noticed the paint coming off onto my hand. So painting it might not be a great idea.
-The door has taken a beating, so some packing or duct tape is recommended for support.
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51 Comments
Question 5 years ago on Introduction
I'm sorry I have no ability for this stuff but really want to make this for my son. I can't quite get it- did you just use the folding sides of the box (bottom/ top) to make the pointy top, or did you use the body of the box? I need more detailed instructions, can't quite get it. Where do the fancy cuts come in from the first picture? I don't have a jig saw, is that ok?
6 years ago
I need the exact measurements to the box.
Reply 6 years ago
Sorry I don't have them.
8 years ago on Introduction
I just made the rocket ship for my son's astronaut birthday party. he loves it. Now on to decorating it. Where did you get the control panel print outs?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Just did a google image search for rocket ship control panels
8 years ago on Introduction
How did you join up the long side? I am assuming you had six panels, so you scored the box to be a six sided ship, right?
I love it and will begin tonight, Making it for my grandson's 5th grade class.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
The rocket was made out of one box. I only had to connect one side. As shown in the photos I made a few tab/inserts that held it together. There are not six separate panels.
8 years ago on Introduction
What a fun idea for children to build on the weekend. Bravo!
11 years ago on Introduction
Just wanted to say thanks for the inspiration Stryker! I was given a very large cardboard box (held an IBM server rack) and we converted it to a space ship cubby house for my Son's birthday party. Fortunately the ship survived despite multiple module separation and many excited kids running amok :)
Here are some photos.
The black gaffa on the edges helped with the structural integrity, especially where the rectangular boxes were cut into a hexagonal shape. Painting was a pain, it took several coats of kid-friendly white paint to make it look OK. I really liked how the cheap (but thick and wide) aluminium foil turned out, just a light coat of craft glue and then I placed it on and trimmed the edges with a knife.
All up about $100 including paint, gaffa (cloth tape) and LED lights. All the gear inside (except lights) was old hardware I had lying around. Some of the lights will be re-used for extra visibility when bike riding in winter.
SASA (South Australian Space Agency) is a little homage to NASA, and we also used the last space shuttle mission patch as birthday badges :)
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
That turned out great and it looked like an awesome party. Since you liked my rocket you might like this for your next project.
https://www.instructables.com/id/Indoor-Wooden-Castle/
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Sweet! That looks so cool.
I would like to build my Son a pirate ship when he's a year or two older, but for now I have many other jobs around the house and garden that need to be finished :)
11 years ago on Step 2
This is Awesome!
What were the measurements of the flaps? With the tabs?
12 years ago on Introduction
cool instructable, thats exactly was i was looking for!
14 years ago on Introduction
Well if you have trouble getting that silly song out of your heads might I suggest the theme song to Hogans Hero's that usually does it.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Hogans heroes giligans island and disneys recess are the best shows in the world
12 years ago on Introduction
when your son takes you guys to the moon could I come pretty pretty please with a subscription on top
14 years ago on Introduction
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
BEST VIDEO EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
did you make this?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
No I did not make that video.